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(No Model.) 7 v G. W. PRENTIGE.

WITNESSES. \NVENTDR.

UNITED STATES PATENT OF ICE.

GEORGE W. PRENTIOE, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

BUTTON-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 358,481, dated March 1, 1887.

Application filed December 9, 1886.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. PRENTICE, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State 5 ofRhode Island, haveinventedceitain newand useful Improvementsin Button-Fasteners; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My present invention relates to a newv and useful imprd'vement in button-fasteners for attaching buttons to boots, shoes, and other articles; and it consists, primarily, of forming a two-pronged or staple fastener from a blank cut from sheet metal, said blank having a central button-holding port-ion ofreduced dimensions in cross-section, and gradually tapered or enlarged from said reduced portion outward to the ends, said blank adapted to be bent into staple form, all as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Figure 1 represents a plan view of my improved buttonfastener blank. Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views of two forms of staplefastenels made from my improved blank.

In carrying out my improvement the blank A is cut from sheetrnietal, substantially in the form shown in Fig. 1, the central or reduced portion, a, being the narrowest part of the blank, the sides of said blank being gradually tapered or enlarged from said reduced portion a outward to the points 00, forming the enlarged portions b b, as fully shown in the drawings. The points 0 c are preferably rounded, and may be thinned and sharpened, to more readily penetrate material in attachment. The blank thus formed is adapted to be bent into a staple-fastener having a crown or arch of any desired form, the reduced portion a comprising the button-holding part of 1 the staple, while the enlarged portions 12 b form the prongs thereof.

Serial No. 221,088. (No model.)

Fig. 2 represents a center-loop staple made from my improved form of blank, the center loop being formed from the reduced portion 0 a,while the side tables and prongs are formed from the enlarged portions b b, the rounded ends 0 0 comprising the penetrating-points of the fastener.

Fig. 3 represents a common form of staple provided with an elongated crown or arch for holding the button, made from the reduced portion a, the prongs being made, as previously ener is distributed where it is the most effect-.

ive-namcly, on the under surface of the fabricthe enlarged ends of the blank making strong reliable holding-prongs, which are not easily disengaged from the fabric when secured thereto.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1 An improved button-fastener blank cut from sheet metal, it having a reduced central section, gradually enlarged from said section outwardly to the ends, substantially as specified.

2. As-an improved article of manufacture, a button-fastener made from the blank herein described, comprising a reduced central button-holding portion provided with a prong on each side thereof, said prongs being graduallyenlarged outwardly from the central portion to the ends, substantially as herein set forth.

In testimony whereofl afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE \V. PRENTIOE.

Witnesses:

F. A. SMITH, Jr., CHARLES GREENE. 

